AeroVironment Signs Deal to Produce Switchblade 600 Loitering Munition Drone in Ukraine

The American company AeroVironment has signed an agreement with a Ukrainian company to localize the production of the Switchblade 600 loitering munition drone.

This was reported by Militarnyi.

The agreement was signed during the DFNC2 International Defense Industries Forum in Kyiv, though the name of the Ukrainian company involved has not been disclosed for security reasons.

Brett Hush, Senior Vice President and General Manager of AeroVironment's Tactical Missile Systems division, explained to Militarnyi that the collaboration will be carried out in phases.

“We’ll start by shipping subsystem components for basic integration. Over time, we’ll localize more of the systems and enhance the complex, making it even better than it is today,” he said.

The agreement is currently awaiting approval from the US government, a process that may take around nine months. Although the exact production volume has not been disclosed, Hush mentioned plans to manufacture several thousand Switchblade 600 units annually.

Hush also highlighted that Ukrainian forces are using the Switchblade 600 loitering munition in ways not initially intended. Originally designed for US Special Operations Forces to conduct irregular warfare and target mobile assets, Ukrainian troops are deploying it to strike high-value targets such as Pantsir and S-300 air defense systems, valued at $20-25 million.

“There are some impressive videos in open sources. What’s critical, in my opinion, is that while the Switchblade 600 is an anti-tank munition—similar to the one used in the Javelin—it’s not being used against tanks in Ukraine. The Russians can replace tanks regularly, but they can’t easily replace expensive air defense systems, given the limited number of specialists who can work with the electronics,” Hush explained.

He also noted that AeroVironment is working to simplify the use of the Switchblade. While feedback from different Ukrainian units has varied, he believes that enhanced training—ideally conducted directly in Ukraine—could significantly improve results.

“At present, due to US policy, training is conducted outside Ukraine. Operators have to travel to Poland or other locations where we are authorized to conduct training. We’re lobbying to get permission for instructors to train personnel within Ukraine. Currently, I have several people on the ground, but they can only listen and gather feedback—they can’t conduct training. I believe simplifying this process would make a significant difference,” Hush added.